Thursday, June 28, 2012

Going Bananas

So, the title may be indictive of how the household runs now that school is out.

Well, maybe a little bit, but really, the title is meant for your tummy.

There is this little dessert that I make, and call, "a healthy one," but really, it's not so much. However, when I brought them to the classroom for Grace's birthday back in kindergarten, the teacher gushed about the fact that it included bananas! and bananas are healthy, boys and girls! And, she loved them, and a teacher said they were healthy, so I'll run with that. While some kids stuck their tounges out at the mention of that vile fruit, most gobbled it down because it was covered in chocolate.

Now, I am by far, not the first person to come up with these, but I've learned some tricks to pass on.

CHOCOLATE COVERED BANANAS

First, you gather a monkey, ususally the loudest, hairiest, silliest, one you can find.

Then, you steal it's bananas and cut each banana into equal thirds.

After the monkey is done crying because you stole it's bananas, you gently insert a popsicle stick into the bottom of each one. Your monkey may want to do this, but it takes a gentle hand not to split the bananas. Dry monkeys tears.

Now, put each banana-sicle onto a wax covered plate and place into the freezer until firm. This will make them much easier to dip, and the popsicle stick won't slide out on you when you dip it. After they have frozen, melt down some chocolate chips for dipping chocolate. I have found that 1 1/2 Cups of chocolate chips will generously cover 9 banana-sicles (3 whole bananas) with a little left over. I melt them down in the microwave in my 2 Cup Pyrex which works great. Beware of clawing monkeys as you do this. They bite too, watch out.

Once your chocolate is good and melted, grab those bananas from the freezer and set up a dipping station. Have any garnish ready. We like to use rainbow sprinkles, chocolate sprinkles, or shredded coconut. Nuts would be nice too, or even mini chocolate chips, or all the above put together if you want to go all mama gorilla with it.

Now, let your monkey dip to his/her hearts content.

Since the banana is so cold, the chocolate firms quickly, so tell your monkey to garnish right after they dip it so it will adhere.

Place your bananas back onto the plate lined with waxed paper and place back into the freezer. Wrestle away the pyrex measuring cup with leftover chocolate away from your monkey and hide in the broom closet so you can lick it in private. Ignore the tantrum outside the door.

Freeze until the banana-sicles are solid, then you can store them in a ziplock bag for easy pickin's.

Give to your monkey on a regular basis. It's a fun treat.

I plan on making dozens to bring to a fourth of July celebration. Fun. Easy. Healthy, right? ; )